Double-Boiled Bird's Nest with Lotus Seed, Lily Bulb and Red Dates

Why people make this dessert

A relative gave Nourilo a box of precious bird’s nest, big beautiful pieces, to help him and his wife stay strong. He rarely buys such a luxury — usually he reaches for snow fungus or golden fungus, the “people’s bird’s nest,” because they too are rich in protein and trace elements. But out of respect for the gift, today he double-boils the nest with lotus seed, lily bulb and red dates: a dish traditionally associated with supporting immunity and easing the tiredness and restless sleep that come from depleted qi and blood. It is especially valued for the convalescent, the elderly, new mothers and breastfeeding mums.

Method

1. Soak the bird’s nest in clean water for 4 hours; rinse the lotus seeds and lily bulb; pit the red dates.
2. Put all ingredients in a double-boil container with 600 ml of warm water.
3. Double-boil (water-bath) for 1 hour. Serve.

Nourilo’s Tips

Bird’s nest contains active proteins that break down above 80°C, so it should only be double-boiled — the water inside a double-boil pot stays around 75°C. This is why a pressure cooker is unsuitable for bird’s nest: its fierce heat destroys those proteins. The dish supports metabolism and is a gentle tonic for men and women alike, but skip it while a cold or flu is still unresolved.